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The Simple Facts: |
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Understanding Non-Chlorine Shock |
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By Alan Schuster, Technical Specialist |
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Potassium monopersulfate: the name sounds simple enough, but there exists a degree of confusion about how the material works and when it is best to use this product. Potassium monopersulfate is, also, known as potassium peroxy monosulfate or as monopersulfate compound. It should not be confused with Potassium persulfate, which is a highly dangerous material that is not recommended for use in this industry. |
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How can a chemical that does not contain chlorine increase the level of chlorine after application to the pool or spa? Potassium monopersulfate contains no chlorine and chemically is a powerful oxidizer that will convert the chlorine by-products (chlorides and chloramines) back into free available chlorine. It is this regenerated free available chlorine that is measured by a test kit. The same type of chemical reaction takes place in pools or spas utilizing a bromine sanitizer to boost the level of the active sanitizer. |
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Why is the non-chlorine shock method an advantage? Using a product, such as SUN-Brite™ non-chlorine shock has many advantages over conventional chlorine products. Using a chlorine shock will drive up the chlorine reading, making the pool not suitable for swimming until the levels drop into the acceptable range. Using SUN-Brite potassium monopersulfate shock will not greatly boost the total chlorine reading. However, it will boost the free available chlorine reading and destroy chloramines, organic by-products, dead algae and debris. That is precisely why a shock treatment is added to pool water. |
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SUN-Brite contains no by-products that can build up and cause water clarity problems. It is completely and rapidly soluble with no residue. Depending upon the type, chlorine shock can add build-up by-products such as calcium hardness and cyanuric acid. The build-up of these materials can lead to a cloudy or scaling condition or may even necessitate the draining of pool water. |
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SUN-Brite is the ideal shock for a Sunday afternoon. Using SUN-Brite will get you back in the swim without having to wait for the chlorine to drop to a safe level, as would be the case if a chlorine shock was used. By not having to wait, this will enable the pool to be shocked at the first signs of deterioration of water quality. |
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SUN-Brite is completely soluble and will not cause the water to become cloudy. It is compatible with any of the products that are normally used with pools being maintained on chlorine or bromine. |
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When a pool smells like the chlorine level is very high, it is actually chloramines that are being detected. Chloramines are odorous, irritating and ineffective forms of combined chlorine. To destroy the chloramines with chlorine shock, it is necessary to boost the chlorine level by five times the combined chlorine. This can play havoc on the chemistry and the use of the pool. SUN-Brite will destroy the chloramines efficiently while avoiding the headaches of chemical balancing. |
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The normal application dosage for SUN-Brite is one pound per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Pools that are in poor condition should use twice that dosage. As with all shock products, the label dosages are a guide and may not be adequate for all situations. To guarantee that an adequate quantity of shock has been added, it is necessary to retest the free chlorine level periodically and add additional product until an adequate free chlorine level persists and the water improves. Always add the product by broadcasting over the surface while the filter is operating. |
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The pH of SUN-Brite is acidic; as such, the adjustment of the pH and total alkalinity of the pool should continue as normal. Application of the usual quantities of the product will have a slight lowering effect on the pH of the water. |
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SUN-Brite is intended for use as a non-chlorine shock treatment in swimming pools only. It is not formulated for use in spas. The regular use of this product in spas can lead to low pH situations and corrosive conditions. SUN-Brite SF (Spa Formula) has been specifically formulated for use in spas and hot tubs. |
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SUN-Brite SF can be used with all types of chlorine, bromine tablets, 2-part bromine and ozone generators. Its unique, proprietary formula has been especially developed for the hot water application. The product contains an effective buffering system to prevent changes in pH upon addition. Corrosion inhibitors help protect the heater and other underwater metal parts. |
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The active ingredient in SUN-Brite SF is potassium monopersulfate. It differs from the regular SUN-Brite because of the inclusion of the buffering system and corrosion inhibitors. The actual working mechanism of the product is the same as the regular pool product. It is a powerful oxidizer that destroys organic contamination and by-products without the odors normally associated with chlorine products. |
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Why use a non-chlorine shock? Maintaining a sanitizer residual is very important in spas and hot tubs. SUN-Brite SF will give an instant boost to the chlorine or bromine sanitizer level. In spas and hot tubs, odor can become a problem. SUN-Brite SF can react with the odorous and irritating by-products and eliminate and prevent unpleasant conditions. |
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SUN-Brite SF can simplify spa and hot tub maintenance. For example, the buffer system reduces pH adjustments, the corrosion inhibitors help protect metal surfaces and it is completely soluble without the tendency to cloud the water. There are no organic by-products to question and only harmless salts are added to the water as end products. |
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SUN-Brite SF should be added according to the label directions. Maintenance of the sanitizer levels should follow the recommendations appropriate for that product. |
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SUN-Brite and SUN-Brite SF offer a safe, convenient and modern way to shock your pool, spa or hot tub. |
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